01x02 - Episode 2

[bunniefuu]

TEMPEST

[♪ suspenseful music plays]

[phone rings]

Sir.

[sirens wailing in the distance]

[stammers] Sir, I don't know
what… [stammers] …what I'm...

[call ends]

TWO MONTHS BEFORE JANG
JUNIK'S ASSASSINATION

How reliable is
your intelligence?

Well, we can trust
the satellites,

but the real question is,
how did they build it?

It's not possible without
Russian and Chinese cooperation.

Which means their tacit
approval here is a given.

Better believe they have the
resolve to launch those missiles.

Yeah, I'm afraid I
agree with the chairman.

[secretary] Mr. President.

Sit down, everyone.

[beeps]

[pedestrians chattering]

[knocks, door opens]

[driver] Hey.

Really appreciate it.

-All right, take care. Travel safe.
-[driver] Of course.

All right.

[door closes]

Hello there, sir. The two
of us spoke on the phone.

[♪ Dramatic music plays]

[Sanho] I had a dream.

[panting]

[Sanho] In the dream,

I was a woman.

[Munju] For South Koreans, people
in North Korea are not just anyone.

IRAQ, 2023

Millions of South Koreans
still have our family members

and relatives
living in the north.

To us, they're still our
brothers and sisters.

Far into the future when we look back
and think about what we have done,

I sincerely hope that
we will be able to say

that we did the right thing
for the people in North Korea

who deserve to live a
decent life, just like us.

[Sanho] Even in a storm…

[panting]

…I wanted to run.

JANG JUNIK

When did my husband tell
you to increase security?

-I'm sorry?
-It wasn't so heavy before?

He was clearly on
edge about something.

I'm wondering, Changhee.

You know his routine.

Everything about him.

[stammers]

It was a few months ago.

He began taking personal calls
and meetings in complete secrecy.

-I was kept out of it.
-…make time soon to talk.

I received a letter
from the States.

I need to discuss it with you.

Hey, where are you… Sir,
where are you going?

Mmm.

[Changhee] He was especially
anxious the day before you got back.

He requested that I
double the security team.

And then he asked for a
detour on the simplest route.

But, sir, may I ask
you what this is about?

A squirrel is following us.

A squirrel?

[exhales sharply]

When Junsang was young, he
got bitten by a squirrel

and was left with a scar.

-Look who it is.
-[chuckles]

Junsang? [chuckles]

[both laughing]

[Junik] That's how he earned
the nickname. Squirrel.

The violent little squirrel.

[Junik laughs]

-Looks like him, right? [chuckles]
-[chuckles]

[phone buzzing]

Hey, Miji.

I'm looking into Kim's
family like you asked,

I came to see his
father at his house.

But they're packing up like
they're going on a trip.

I see a lot of luggage.

And they're all
getting in a van.

Something feels off.

There's these guys
here helping them.

But they don't seem like family.

Someone's trying
to cover this up.

-I can follow behind.
-No.

It's too dangerous.

I got this.

I was a divorce attorney's…
[grunts] …right hand.

Comes with the territory.

Let me know where they're going.

And I'll see you there.
Don't get out until I arrive.

[engine starts]

[Inbo] Last Sunday,

some members of the Catacomb in
the north visited your grandmother

and left her a bundle of
rice, bread and a letter.

She seems healthy.

The letter says that you'll be
there the day after tomorrow

to take her to China.

She hung up a white
shirt as her signal back.

It means that she understands.

You should go with
her while you can.

So today?

The situation is bad
and getting worse.

If you don't hurry,
you might not make it.

What is this about, Father?

There was something that
Mr. Jang wanted me to do.

I have been asking God how
I can uphold that agreement.

The church will fall
into chaos soon.

What was it that Mr. Jung
had requested from you?

If it's somehow
connected to the m*rder,

you'll be in as much
danger as he was.

[Inbo] Our promise.

A promise that was made in the face
of God between myself and Junik.

It's most important right now

that you move your grandmother
out of the country.

If you don't do this, you'll
regret it your whole life.

[♪ Dark music plays]

It's something to do with
North Korea, isn't it?

This is Saint Anthony.

All this time,
he's kept me safe.

[♪ Tense music plays]

[employee] Good evening.

That's three adults and
one child, four total.

One-way tickets to Melbourne,
Australia for tonight?

[person 1] Yes, that's correct.

-One-way to Melbourne? But why?
-[employee speaks indistinctly]

[person 2] Sorry to bother you.

-Mind if we ask you some questions?
-[gasps]

[line ringing]

[electronic voice] The person you are
trying to reach is not available...

-[call ends]
-[phone buzzes]

Junsang.

So Miss Miji Yeo, where'd you
come across a gem like her?

She's a tough one.

-Where are you?
-[Junsang] It was not an interrogation.

I kept telling her I
just wanted to talk.

But she claimed you had
nothing to with this

and insisted on her
right to silence.

[sucks teeth] Ah, sh*t.

[♪ Dark music plays]

I said, "Where are you?"

I'm surprised.

You're being quite rude.

When you come and pick up your friend,
let's see how far that gets you.

Okay?

What are you up to, Munju?

I'm looking for answers
about my husband.

Didn't you read the report?

The m*rder*r was
anti-reunification.

Why did you follow Junik?

Are you implying I had
something to do with it?

[sighs]

[sucks teeth, inhales sharply]

I expect this from other
people, but… [scoffs]

…we're family, Munju, right?

Would you be interested to know
what I've actually done for Junik?

What I've gone through for him?

A reason?

That a prosecutor
of this country…

Had his brother tailed.

He was a spy.

[♪ Serious music plays]

-That's not true.
-[Junsang sighs]

You think I'd say
this without proof?

After they caught the sh**ter,
I assembled a special unit.

To cover it all up.

All the evidence.

And everyone involved.

Why?

At any moment, inter-Korean
relations could change.

What happens when a presidential
candidate is revealed to be a spy?

Think of the damage
that would do.

Or a plot from North Korea
could've been behind the m*rder.

Then we're on the brink of w*r.

And if the United States
has become involved,

the bond between our two
nations could be ruptured.

Are you implying

the US was involved with this?

We will meet again
someday, won't we?

Mmm.

Oh, right.

The wine is for you.

Don't forget to take it
with you when you get back.

Father, would you mind
if I took this as well?

I might need it.

To find guidance
in the darkness.

My son, take care.

Be safe out there,
my young friend.

In the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

[ferry horn blows]

HOLY BIBLE

[♪ inquisitive music plays]

[announcer]
Attention, passengers,

boarding will soon begin for
flight 1945 service to Dalian.

Boarding will close ten
minutes prior to departure.

Attention, passengers,

boarding will soon
begin for flight…

Sanho Paik, an American.

Top mercenary with Valkyrie,
the military contractor.

Heard of him?

-[g*nf*re]
-They'll protect or k*ll anybody.

-As long as the money's right.
-[exclaiming]

No questions asked.

[Sanho] People like me, first thing
we do is figure out escape routes.

What exactly do you
mean, "people like you"?

Someone who doesn't
have a country.

The man caught at the scene, what
do you think he was doing there?

Just a little coincidence?

Do you see it now?

Do you understand
why it has to be me?

For my family, my country,

and even global peace,

I have to clean this all up.

Just imagine

if my mother

discovered that her handsome,
beloved, and charming son was…

A spy for another country.
[scoffs] It'd be awful.

Obviously, you envied Junik.

You were hoping he would fail
and you wanted to take his place.

You're enjoying
this, aren't you?

Right.

Opportunity of a
lifetime for you.

The thing is, I know
who my husband was.

He may have been
foolish at times

but he wasn't a spy.

You say you have evidence,

but I suspect that someone went
out of their way to fake this.

Proof that frames
an innocent man.

That's your specialty.

We decide who spies are.

And what constitutes
as evidence.

It's just what we have to
do to protect out country.

[scoffs]

Really?

How patriotic.

The truth around Junik's
death will come out.

I don't know about world peace,

but I'll do what it takes
to find peace of my own.

[sighs]

[sighs]

I really did want to
help when you came to me.

But you've left
me with no choice.

This is not my style.

Miji…

Oh, the blood?

Let's just say biting a sitting prosecutor
will have its legal consequences.

Well, I'm sure you deserved it.

The two of you

should make arrangements
to leave Korea in 24 hours.

Your Mrs. Yeo has older parents.

I would hate for them

to spend the rest of their
lives waiting for her return.

If Miji's okay, let me see her.

Now's when you learn about
how we use real power

to get someone to act
against their interests.

[line ringing]

It's really something to behold.

[groans, exhales sharply]

-Ms. Seo?
-I'm here, Miji.

Are you doing okay?

Doing okay here.
Sorry to worry you.

Just keep thinking about
getting home to your parents.

Stay focused on that. You'll be
with them within the next 24 hours.

Don't bow down to these
pieces of sh*t for me.

All right, Ms.
Seo? I'll be fine.

Try and stay calm, okay?

Just trust me.

I'll have all taken
care of by morning.

I trust you, Ms. Seo.

-[call ends]
-[chuckles]

-[scoffs]
-[scoffs]

If you so much as
lay a hand on Miji,

I'll make sure you pay for it.

How about

we both keep our promises?

[sighs]

Father Yang? It's Seo Munju.

[♪ Tense music plays]

Father?

[gasps]

[Munju grunting]

[Sanho] Calm down.

Keep quiet, okay?

I was too late.

[breathing shakily]

-I'm calling the police.
-I need to get out of here first.

Whoever did this was
looking for something.

[door opens]

[footsteps approaching]

[door closes, locks]

[♪ Tense music plays]

[both grunting]

[grunting]

[grunts]

[groans]

[strains]

[grunting]

-Who put you up to this?
-[groans, chokes]

What were you looking for?

[in Chinese] The whale
in the distant sea.

[priest, in English] Father
Yang, are you in there?

What's going on?

-Father Yang!
-[banging continues]

Father Yang!

[sighs] Go get the key.

[footsteps running]

Wait a minute.

Someone out there will
help you, Ms. Seo.

Hang on.

I gotta ask you something.

We haven't used the tea room
since my husband passed away.

Have you ever been here
before, by any chance?

My first time actually.

But I've definitely
heard about it.

The old men who were worried about
the country would gather here.

Well, as I'm sure you've heard, this
room is safe to say anything in.

The strictest
security is in place.

You know, I really put in a lot of
effort into getting you appointed

to your position.

And can I ask why, ma'am?

I wouldn't think of myself as very
close with you or the late minister.

I've been a part of this circle of
military wives for quite a while.

In those 40 years,

I can't recall meeting anyone
else as gracious as your wife.

When there's somebody
as perfect as her,

it says a lot about her husband.

My wife is the one to
thank for me being here.

She made sure I kept
this appointment.

She reminded me how terrible it would
be to abandon you in your time of need.

Although beyond that,

she refused to say why.

[Okseon] Mr. Yu.

Think back on your life.

When were the challenges
insurmountable?

When my second child was ill.

Mmm.

We had a mystery donor.

Someone who covered
the cost of surgery.

I wish she hadn't told you.

Keeping our spouses from
worrying, that's a wife's duty.

[gasps]

Now, tell me, Mr. Yu.

In the case of my
dear son Junik,

was the US involved?

Can't be sure.

But we've received intel.

Anderson Miller, an
Assistant Secretary of State,

is being sought by the US,

the FBI to be precise,

under suspicion of disclosing
classified government secrets.

This Miller is wanted as a spy,

and it sounds like Junik
was talking to him.

[gasps]

There must be some kind
of misunderstanding.

The truth is,

in the months leading up to his death,
your son was being watched by us.

Why?

Under suspicion of treason.

[gasps]

We think he may have communicated
with the North from this very house.

[sighs]

Absolutely absurd.

[Unhak] Ms. Lim.

There a bugs planted
throughout the mansion.

[breathes shakily]

Who's doing this? And why?

Is the president
trying to frame my son?

Keep an eye out for this man.

He's a private
mercenary for Valkyrie.

Those people will do
anything for money.

We don't know what he's doing,

we don't know why he's
approached your son,

or who brought him into this.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[Munju] What is this place?

An underground tunnel from
the Japanese occupation.

This network of churches
with underground tunnels

connecting the North and
South is called the Catacombs.

Only a handful of people,
including Father Yang and myself,

know about them.

I heard that you're a mercenary
for a private military group.

[Sanho] At Valkyrie, contracts are
renewed every one or two years.

My contract was done a year ago,
and I chose not to renew it.

You were the closest person to my
husband and Father Yang when they died.

Is that a coincidence?

This passage is 40
feet below ground.

If you really thought
I was dangerous…

Then it's very curious that
you would follow me down here.

I found this in one of
Father Yang's bibles.

On the back of his
hand, a puncture wound.

He was poisoned to death.

Ordinary people don't
use those methods.

The k*ller was looking for
something in his room, right?

[Sanho] Father Yang said
that at mass tomorrow,

he'd be relaying a message left
with him by Assemblyman Jang.

Junik had planned to announce
something at the end of mass that day.

[♪ Suspenseful music plays]

SANHO, MARK

[sonar beeping]

[sonar beeping]

That's Mayang Island.

Youngpo Shipyard.

"Dear Junik, this is a satellite
image from DIA two weeks ago."

[Anderson] This object is suspected to
be a 10,000-ton class nuclear submarine.

We suspect that the object is
a 10,000-ton nuclear submarine,

spanning 460 feet.

It's equipped with 16 of the most
advanced vertical SLBM launch tubes,

capable of holding


If… If our analysis is correct,

then the North Korean
nuclear threat is very real.

Holy sh*t.

-Yeah.
-[chuckles] Hey, f*ck!

Weren't you the one who
insisted that the submarine

the North Koreans were building was
a 3,000-ton rickety piece of junk?

What if one day that venereal dipshit
says he's gonna nuke our country?

What… What are you going
to do then? f*ck's sake.

-Could you be any shittier at your job?
-Sir, I don't know what...

-No, no, no.
-W-W-What I'm...

-Shut the f*ck up! That was rhetorical.
-[line disconnects]

[Anderson] The news hit
us like a ton of bricks.

The submarine is expected to be
unveiled two months from now.

In time for North Korean
leader Kim Hansang's birthday.

Mr. President. We're
planning a precision strike

with low-yield tactical nuclear
weapons on a total of 40 targets,

including North Korea's nuclear
storage facilities, m*ssile silos…

[Anderson] US military is planning to
launch simultaneous precision strikes

to wipe out all of North Korea's
military nuclear facilities.

[analyst] Our m*ssile guidance system
has a strike record of over 98%.

We're confident we can
destroy these targets.

Excuse me, what…

What about the possibility of a full-scale
escalation across the Korean peninsula?

[analyst] The Herman report
suggests there's a 32% chance

that a preemptive strike
against North Korea

could result in full-scale w*r,

and while there's a 41% chance

that we could contain the
conflict to this region,

if it does escalate,

the entire East Asian region
will become a b*ttlefield.

Something isn't right here.

The North Koreans don't have the capital
or the technology to pull this thing off.

We could be putting millions
of lives at risk, sir.

Let me just check to see
if this thing is real.

[laughs] I don't need you
to do sh*t, all right?

This operation will be
over in five minutes.

I'm talking about the
warfare of the future,

with the weapons of the future,
and the strategies of the future.

And the history of future
warfare starts now.

You know what? [scoffs]

Stop trying to act like
you're being objective.

You're barred from
this room from now on.

Presidential orders.

[Anderson] Having a Korean face

and advocating for the most
aggressive policies against Korea,

that plays well in Washington.

But this plan needs
to be reconsidered.

Help me, Junik.

My phone, laptop,
all my electronics…

There might be eyes and
ears on all of them.

Please reply via encrypted
email using the enclosed key,

and burn this letter
once you've read it.

[Munju] "Anderson Miller."

The US Assistant
Secretary of State.

My husband met him while they were
both getting doctorates at Georgetown.

This must be what Junik was
planning to announce that day.

He wanted to prevent a w*r.

I have to get to
North Korea soon.

That's what Father
Yang told me to do.

He knew a w*r could break out.

You have family in the north?

You should go.

I'll take care of the letter.

You'll be putting yourself
in a lot of danger.

Are you ready for that?

Yes.

This is the only way.

It's what my husband
was planning to do.

You sure you can trust them?

She's the most reliable and
powerful person in this country.

You can leave now, Mr. Paik.

I'll take it from here.

He's the patron saint for
counter-revolutionaries.

It's a gift from Father Yang.

But I have miles to go
and should travel light.

[Munju] Yes, of course,
sir. I understand.

I realize she's not someone who can
just take a last-minute appointment.

I know she's very busy, but it
doesn't have to be immediately.

I just need a moment.

I'll be here.

No, I'm not pressuring her.

-I have something urgent we...
-[siren blares]

[line disconnects]

Why are you bothering
my Chief of Staff?

[sighs] Sorry I did that, Madam
President. I know it's not protocol,

but this news was too
important to wait.

The country could be at stake.

[Anderson] US military is planning to
launch simultaneous precision strikes

to wipe out all of North Korea's
military nuclear facilities.

But this plan needs to be
reconsidered. Help me, Junik.

[sighs]

I think that Junik was planning
to discuss this with you,

to work together
to find a solution.

Mmm.

Why didn't Assemblyman Jang burn
the letter after reading it?

If he did, Father Yang
would be alive right now,

and you wouldn't have to deal
with all of this mess, would you?

[gasps]

For days after the
Assemblyman's death,

South Korean and American
intelligence agents were in turmoil.

Once I began to
understand the situation,

I came to the same conclusion
as the Assemblyman.

We have to prevent
w*r at all costs.

Which means you
stay out of this.

What?

Diplomacy is done. This
is w*r. A game of chicken.

Two men of debatable sanity are
speeding directly towards one another.

They are both daring each
other to make the move.

But they won't stop.

We could be standing there, waving a flag
saying, "Peaceful solution, gentlemen."

You think they'll listen?

So what exactly is your plan?

Next step is to pick
a car to ride in

and try to make them
change directions.

Munju.

You know what your problem is?

You are always too honest.

For a diplomat,
that's a disadvantage.

As a smaller nation,

when we were scrambling
for anything we could get

that type of charm
had its uses, but…

As a tool for standing
up to Hauser's regime,

managing hostile, multilateral
diplomacy, you are absolutely hopeless.

Do you really think
quitting was your choice?

You were fired.

In order to get
results in this world,

one must use deception, betrayal,
scheming, lying and slander.

So, we replaced you.

Because you couldn't do it.

You see?

Even now you can't believe
that I would betray you.

Listen to me.

Death and w*r isn't
the same as m*rder.

Your husband's tragic
death will get handled,

but we'll handle it
politically and with strategy.

So you know who k*lled him and
you're just covering it up.

The death of your husband
provides an opportunity

to hitch a ride
with the Americans.

You should leave the country.

You're interested in
nonprofit work, right?

Just go.

Doesn't matter where
as long as it's quick.

And don't think
of this as advice.

This is an order.

And what if I refuse?

You won't.

I'm responsible for preventing
w*r on the Korean peninsula.

This is a lot bigger
than any one person.

[brass band playing]

[♪ Dramatic music plays]

[phone buzzing]

[buzzing stops]

DALIAN, CHINA

[people chattering]

[in Chinese] Pay up first.

Let's go.

[in English] We
found a new house.

We'll all be out of here soon.

I have to ask you, Mother.

Why were you against Junik
and I getting married?

You said you would cut him
off and never see him again.

I wanted for my son

to marry someone
warm, someone happy.

But you're the opposite of that.

I thought he'd be unhappy,

and then the worst happened.

Finally we got your approval.

I know we couldn't get
married without it.

On the outside, it may have looked
like Junik's father was in charge,

but I know that you
made all the decisions.

Before the wedding, I conducted
a thorough background check.

Your mother raised
you alone in America.

There's so much
she went through…

She worked at a nail salon, as a
hospital janitor, and a cashier…

So many different jobs.

When she got sick,

Junik helped you take care
of her until she died.

In college, you made your
model UN speech go viral,

and I came across this
article about you.

A young student with the Korean
national flag on her wall. [chuckles]

Even in South Korea, young
patriots can be rare.

I always wanted to be
accepted in my home country.

For a long time,

I dreamed of having
a life in Korea.

And that is why

we wanted Junik to
go into politics.

Our family worked towards
this for generations.

But there was always
something he lacked.

Something I could
never give to him.

And then,

I realized it was patriotism.

That's why I accepted you.

I had to admit that you were exactly
the partner he needed. A good asset.

Let me ask you something.

Do you still think…

That I should be the one
running for president

instead of Junsang?

[clock ticking]

[♪ Dark music plays]

Junsang was never likable,
not even as a child.

Junik was always
the popular one.

But you…

You're something special.

How can I put it?

People are willing to back you.

They feel safe with you

and not because
they want to win,

but because they wouldn't
mind losing with you.

If I were the party
chair, I would choose you.

Certain traits can be worked
on with proper training,

although some you
have to be born with.

Junik became a top presidential
candidate at such a young age.

I'm aware of how much
of that was your work.

His party, the media,
sponsors, the district…

You must have spent decades
preparing everything for him.

Why are you telling me
what I already know?

I thought it must
be painful for you.

You laid out all these…

Intricate plans just to...

Come up short at the very end?
You assume I'm devastated.

That's why I thought that

if I offered my hand,
you might take it.

Even though you don't like me,

I may be your only chance
to finish what you started.

[Okseon] If my son…

Hadn't done what he
did with his money,

I could have felt sorry for you.

I lost my child and
you lost your husband.

All women are different, but…

We are very much the same.

I will take this the
rest of the way, Mother.

[♪ Serious music plays]

AMNOK RIVER, CHINESE BORDER

[person 1] We won't
make it today either.

[person 2] I have to
cross the border today!

You know my family's
been waiting for me.

[person 1] Forget about them. It
doesn't matter if you're dead!

River's blocked. You
can't go any further.

The Storm Corps has been all
over here the past few days.

[in Chinese] What is this?

Just go. This is how
everyone else does it.

[g*nf*re]

[person 1 in English] Run!

[soldier 1] sh**t them!

-[g*nf*re continues]
-[people screaming]

[soldier 1] In the water!

Get in the water! Get them!

-Don't let them cross!
-[child grunts]

-[g*nf*re continues]
-[child grunts]

Let's talk business, Munju.

What do you want from me?

And what do I get in return?

I want you to put me in the presidential
race right where Junik left off.

If I become a candidate…

I will hand over the
remainder of Junik's assets.

Including this house.

AGREEMENT ON THE DIVISION
OF INHERITED PROPERTY

So if I help you
get the nomination,

you'll hand over everything,
even his overseas assets?

[laughs]

If this were a novel,
the author would write,

"She had been waiting…"

A long time for the day
when her husband would die,

"so she could reclaim
the dream she had lost."

STUDENT RECORD

Tell me what it says.

That used to be your dream.

PRESIDENT

So, Munju. How should we begin?

What would you like
me to do first?

I want you to call Junsang.

Tell him to return my assistant.
Miji is to be sent home.

Junsang will withdraw
his candidacy,

and leave the
country in 24 hours.

[♪ Suspenseful music plays]

[child crying]

I know you don't believe in God.

You may utter prayers with your mouth,
but your soul doesn't truly rely on Him.

You try to do
everything by yourself.

But, my dear boy,

even if you never know God's love, you
can't go through life without human love.

Who says that I haven't
experienced human love?

Leaving home and going off to wander the
world is something we do to find love.

But you're risking
everything to go back home.

[Munju] I'm going
to stop this w*r.

You'll be putting yourself
in a lot of danger.

Are you ready for that?

Yes.

[♪ Calm music plays]

[line ringing]

[sighs]

Tell the client…

I'll take care of her.

[♪ Dark music plays]